Peterhead manager Jim McInally does not envy opposing boss Ray McKinnon as the Blue Toon get their League 1 campaign under way against Falkirk at Balmoor today.
The Bairns are heavy favourites for an immediate return to the Championship and have recruited a number of players from that level for the new season, including Michael Tidser, Aidan Connolly, Charlie Telfer, Mark Durnan and Conor Sammon.
They are also in discussions with US-based businessman Mark Campbell about a prospective takeover which would bring significant investment geared towards getting the club back to the Premiership.
But McInally is revelling in the shoe being on the other foot after two pressurised seasons of trying to win a title himself.
He said: “Ray is going to be under a lot of pressure. It’s all or nothing for him and I don’t envy him. Although they’ve said they’ve got money woes, they’ve still invested heavily by the looks of it. Boys like Conor Sammon don’t come cheap.
“We’re playing a team everyone expects us to get thrashed by, which is nice. I have been told by many people that predictions for us have us finishing eighth, ninth and 10th. It’s a completely different pressure. Hopefully we can prove people wrong – I love that sort of thing.
“The Dundee and Inverness games showed if we play well we’ve got a good chance of winning, regardless of what Falkirk do.”
McInally feels the play-offs are a realistic goal for Peterhead, which would match their finish from the 2015-16 season. The majority of their squad from the League 2 title win has remained, with the only concern over who would provide goalkeeping competition after Sam Henderson’s injury. However, Lenny Wilson, a former Arbroath youth teamer who has just returned from America, looks set to solve the problem if international clearance is received in time. He came recommended by Blue Toon defender Jason Brown and impressed ex-Peterhead stopper Paul Mathers during a coaching session this week.
McInally added: “He’s up for the challenge of competing with Greg Fleming. He knows how good a keeper he is. But Lenny has trained with us twice and showed up really well.”
Captain Rory McAllister is suspended for today’s game while Scott Hooper, a summer arrival from Annan Athletic, remains out injured.
Falkirk are set to be backed by more than 1,000 fans at Balmoor. McKinnon said: “I was told we had sold over 650 tickets and it was expected that we would go over the four figures. That is a tremendous backing and I am delighted with it as this will be a really tough match.”